HR0652 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0652 LRB100 13528 MST 28148 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the life of Richard "Dick" Lockhart; and

WHEREAS, Dick Lockhart grew up in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; he enlisted in the United States Army in December of 1942 and volunteered for the infantry; he was assigned to the 106th Infantry Division and fought in the Battle of the Bulge; at the age of 20, he was held as a prisoner of war in Stalag IXB, Bad Orb, Germany; after the Americans liberated the camp, he was honorably discharged at age 21 and awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge; he returned to the Midwest and completed his education at Northwestern University; and

WHEREAS, Dick Lockhart founded his own governmental affairs, lobbying, and association management firm, Social Engineering Associates, Inc. in 1958; he has been a professional lobbyist since 1959 and has represented a diverse group of clients, mostly non-profit organizations; his lobbying career has spanned 11 governors from William Stratton through Bruce Rauner; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, Dick Lockhart was retained by the Committee for Constitutional Reform for the successful campaign calling for a Constitutional Convention as well as for the successful referendum adopting the proposed Constitution; he served as Special Consultant to the President of the Convention; and

WHEREAS, From 1961 to 1986, Dick Lockhart was the publisher of the nonpartisan newsletter, the Illinois Political Reporter; he has authored several articles and short publications including "Illinois" in the "Encyclopedia Britannica", "How to Lobby" in "Illinois Issues", "The New (and Different) Legislative Glossary", "The Directory of Illinois Political Leaders", "Words, Wise and Otherwise", and "Lockhart Logic"; and

WHEREAS, Dick Lockhart was named as one of the "10 Best Lobbyists in Illinois" by the Chicago Sun-Times; he served as Speaker of the Third House in 1981 and was the recipient of that organization's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004; he has been a long-standing member of the Business & Industry Federation of Economic Concern and the Chicago Area Public Affairs Group; and

WHEREAS, Dick Lockhart's passions are reading and history; he has the impressive claim of having read over 1,600 history books; he has shared his personal World War II memoir and has been a guest speaker at schools and universities as a World War II veteran and former POW; in 2014, he and a small group of members of the 106th Infantry Division were honored in Belgium at several ceremonies commemorating the Battle of the Bulge; he was a guest of honor at a dinner hosted by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium; and

WHEREAS, Dick Lockhart actively supports the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Illinois State Library, and the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; he is currently writing a lobbying guide focusing on working with the Illinois General Assembly; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the life of Richard "Dick" Lockhart and wish him the best in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dick Lockhart as a symbol of our respect and esteem.